2 hands holding rainbow lightsNumerous GLBT projects across NSW will receive funding of up to $5000 to continue their vital work thanks to the Aurora Group’s small grants program.

The annual program takes applications from charitable organisations seeking funds for work focused on benefitting the GLBT community in NSW and those who do not receive regular funding for their programs from government or community fundraising.
This year $30,000 has been awarded in small grants in addition to a general grant of $10,000 to ACON to assess the needs of GLBT people with disabilities and improve training for disability service providers.

Small grant recipients include:

1. The Gender Centre

to create a short film and workshop on transphobic bullying in schools 

2. Headspace Newcastle

for a youth support group 

3. The Benevolent Society

to fund a storybook depicting GLBTQI foster carer families 

4. Cancer Council

to assist in building an online peer support community for gay men with cancer

5. Twenty10

to support Camp Out’s overnight ‘camp’ experience for young people

6. Felix Foundation

for a film of William Yang’s social archive of the GLBT community 

7. Youth Health Services in Bankstown and Fairfield Liverpool

to provide knowledge on prostate cancer and would benefit from peer support, health and community education and advocacy going back to the 70s; and skills around sexual health and mental health relevant to LGBTIQ young people. 
The funds are raised through the generosity of Aurora supporters who donate through regular giving programs or by attending Aurora’s fabulous fundraising events such as Fat Tuesday.
Guests of this year’s Fat Tuesday will be excited to learn that Australian music theatre’s leading man Michael Cormick will be performing on the evening.
Cormick is known to Australian and international audiences as a consummate singer and actor. He has played lead roles in many musicals including Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Time, Into the Woods, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Falsettos, Tivoli, Grease and The Beast in Beauty and the Beast (for which he received a MO Award).
Wayne Cox, Aurora Event Director said, “Michael will be a treat for Fat Tuesday supporters and provide the perfect musical complement to this night of indulgence. There will be more performers announced soon so watch this space!”
The ticket price is $125, which is inclusive of a top-class three-course dinner, pre-dinner drinks and canapés, wine throughout the evening provided by Oak Barrel and a fabulous line-up of entertainment. Author, commentator and TV personality Andrew Mercado is returning to host the evening after being a big hit with guests last year.